Critical Shopping

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J.Crew's Madison Avenue wedding store appeals to DIY brides, writes Ruth La Ferla in today's Critical Shopper column, but she doesn't necessarily mean that in the most positive way. La Ferla accompanies a bride who happens to be a frequent photographer for the Times as she tries to find a dress for her Montauk wedding with the help of two sales assistants. While the shop employees have plenty of styling suggestions, they pointedly note that they don't do alterations. La Ferla seems unimpressed: "In recent years J. Crew has tweaked its offerings to cater to more rarefied tastes. But it’s unlikely that any amount of clever styling will persuade some clients to pay caviar prices for a brand that is founded on khakis and tees." [NYT]